State Budget: $34.8 million NDIS funding

State Budget: $34.8 million NDIS funding

Friday 11 May, 2018

United Voice, the union for Disability Support workers, welcomes the announcement of an additional $34.8 million in funding by the Western Australian State Government, to ensure a smoother transition for Western Australians into the NDIS.

United Voice WA Assistant Secretary Karma Lord said the additional funding is essential to ensure a quality disability sector in Western Australia for people with disabilities, their families and workers.

“People with disabilities, their families and workers deserve a reliable sector, with high quality standards and care.”

Ms Lord says United Voice members have fought for a strong and well-funded NDIS for years and that the commitment from the Western Australian State Government will aid in the transition to NDIS for thousands of people.

“United Voice members care about the people they support and want the best funding to help them,”

“United Voice members have fought for this funding and are committed to working with all stakeholders to make sure the NDIS works here in WA.”

While this is a great outcome for West Australians transitioning into the NDIS, Ms Lord says the NDIS is still plagued with problems on a national scale.

“There have been significant transition problems that we have seen in other states, and we see this especially in the care of people with complex needs.”

“We are pleased with this additional funding, but at the end of the day, we need an NDIS that is reliable and works for all.”

In the precedence of creating an NDIS that works for all, the fact Western Australia was left out of additional funding 2018-19 Federal Budget hasn’t gone unnoticed.

Ms Lord says this is proof that Western Australians are again being left out by the Federal Liberal Government.

“By leaving Western Australians with disabilities, their families and workers out of this funding, it is clear Malcolm Turnbull doesn’t prioritise a system working for all Australians.”

Ms Lord said while Western Australia is in for smoother transition into the NDIS, United Voice members will continue to fight for quality care and quality jobs under the NDIS in the lead up to the next election.

“Everyone deserves quality care, and quality jobs. The problems plaguing the NDIS over East need to be fixed and this is something we will campaign for into the next Federal Election.”